There is a need to be united when dealing with issues and challenges affecting the region given the fluid geo-strategic environment in the region.
This was highlighted by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, at the opening of the PIF meeting on Monday night at the National Stadium.
He said, the Pacific is stronger when all the regional members stand united as one family.
“I acknowledged the PIF meeting as a vision of our founding leaders who, more than five decades ago, recognised that the Pacific is at its strongest when we stand together-united as one.”
However, as with families, Waqa added, there are moments of challenge and there are moments of celebration.
“What is important throughout is a consistent will to navigate these issues, together,” he said.
He expressed that the Pacific operate in a very fluid geo-strategic environment.
“We operate in a very fluid geo-strategic environment. But we must hold fast to our commitment to our Forum Family,” he said.
Geo-strategic refers to the combination of geopolitical (geography and politics) and strategic (plans and actions) factors that influence a government’s foreign policy and its efforts to project power and achieve national goals on a global scale.
The Secretary General said, as the 54th Pacific Islands Forum gets underway this week its important to draw strength from the region’s diverse cultures, from the shared ocean, and from the spirit of solidarity that has always defined the Blue Pacific.
“Iumi Tugeda is not a just a theme-it is our call to revitalise our Pacific Regionalism-and this week is the opportunity,” Waqa stated.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
